Reeder returns to Edwins Elementary School as assistant principal

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — Ila Reeder, who began her teaching career at Edwins Elementary School in Fort Walton Beach, will now serve as assistant principal there.

Reeder was born and raised in Destin and is a product of Okaloosa County schools. She attended the University of West Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

While teaching, she went on to earn a master’s degree in reading and a specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida. She completed her student teaching at Edwins Elementary School and began her teaching career there as a 3rd-grade teacher.

After seven years at Edwins, Reeder transferred to Destin Elementary School as a 4th grade English Language Arts teacher and later moved to the secondary level teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English Language Arts at Destin Middle School.

During those years, she served in numerous mentor and leadership roles as grade chair and department head, participating on various school and district committees, and leading school-based professional development, the Okaloosa County School District said.

Last year, after 18 years in the classroom, Reeder accepted an opportunity to serve as a guidance counselor at Bruner Middle School.

Reeder has been married to her husband Stephen for 20 years. They are the parents of Caleb and Logan Reeder, both students at Fort Walton Beach High School.

Reeder said it has been an honor for her to serve as a teacher in the very schools where she was first a student. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to return “home” to Edwins Elementary School and serve as assistant principal.